Dana White says Ilia Topuria is ready to return to the octagon, and the UFC is ready to book him. Speaking on The Jim Rome Show, the UFC CEO confirmed his team stays in regular contact with the former two-division champion, even though nothing is officially on the schedule yet.
“Our guys are always in touch with them. We don’t have him on the schedule right now, but listen, Topuria’s ready to fight. We’re ready for him,” White said.
Topuria’s last appearance came at UFC Freedom 250, where he addressed the loss for the first time in an emotional post to his son, Hugo, after Justin Gaethje worked him down to a corner stoppage between the fourth and fifth rounds. It was Topuria’s first defeat in 18 professional bouts.
Gaethje Rematch Or Paddy Pimblett
Asked whether a Gaethje rematch or a fight with Paddy Pimblett makes more sense next, White wouldn’t commit to either.
“Both sound good to me. They’re both great. We don’t lose with either one of those fights. They’re both great fights. I don’t know,” White said. “Listen, anything I say on this show, there’s going to be 100 of these goofy Instagram guys like, ‘Dana White just announced Paddy Pimblett.’ They’re both great. We don’t have anything set. I don’t really have the answer to that question. Obviously the rematch with Gaethje is incredible. And a Paddy Pimblett fight is amazing. As bad as those two hate each other.”
The Gaethje rematch has already been described as under strong consideration inside the UFC, though Gaethje has said he doesn’t plan to fight again this year while he recovers from injury. Pimblett, for his part, has made no secret of wanting the fight, previously saying he doesn’t believe Topuria will ever be the same fighter after the Gaethje loss.
White didn’t offer a timeline for Topuria’s return.
